So I'm in the beginning stages of the divorce process. I filed the motion about a month ago. Things mentioned in it were basically that we need to keep stuff status quo. Before this process, "we" had a joint checking account. I use quotes, because I am the only person working. I direct deposit an amount to each of our own separate accounts each pay period as an allowance that is ours to spend. The rest goes to this joint account so we can pay bills, groceries and do things with the kids.

My STBXW does have a silly little job that pays her about $130 a week. She of course does not contribute to the family account, and spends it all on herself.

A while ago when we were not well off and I cared about what she spent her money on, I caught her using the debit and cash back option while grocery shopping to get money to spend on herself. Now that we are in the process of divorce, I noticed that our bills our a little higher than normal so I became suspicious, especially when I found some cash on her (we normally never have cash). Sure enough, I found a receipt from over the weekend where she used debit on our joint account at Target and took out $40 for herself.

She already completely bleeds me dry every single pay period anyway, and now its Christmas and I still need to think about presents for the kids and family. I'm afraid there is nothing I can do until our accounts are separated. Does anyone have thoughts?